Keep Father Time From Marching On: New Laser Treatments Offer Gentle and Effective Skin Resurfacing in a Flash

... SAN ANTONIO Feb. 3 /- For most people the significa...Speaking today at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Academy ofD... The search for safe and effective treatments to improve and rejuvenat...Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing ...

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- For most people, the significant
downtime involved in undergoing an invasive laser resurfacing procedure to
reverse the obvious signs of aging skin is not realistic given today's
busy, deadline-driven lifestyle. Now, a number of new minimally invasive
laser skin resurfacing technologies are delivering noticeable improvements
for people looking to freshen up their look without spending weeks under
wraps, as is common with their invasive counterparts.

Speaking today at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of
Dermatology (Academy), dermatologist Jeffrey S. Dover, MD, FAAD, associate
clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University Medical School in New
Haven, Conn., shared his professional experience with three of the newer
laser skin resurfacing procedures being used to treat fine lines, wrinkles,
photodamage and uneven skin pigmentation.

"The search for safe and effective treatments to improve and rejuvenate
the tone, color and texture of the aging face is never ending," said Dr.
Dover. "Today, patients are interested in gentler skin rejuvenation options
than those used previously, such as the CO2 laser, and will trade less
dramatic results for less downtime and few, if any, side effects."

Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing

One of the most versatile new laser technologies being used to treat
aging skin is fractional laser skin resurfacing. Numerous clinical studies
have shown this technology to be safe and effective in treating patients of
all skin types, including skin of color, for fine lines, wrinkles, uneven
skin tone and even acne scars.

Fractional laser resurfacing works by targeting damaged skin in columns
of microscopic treatment zones, which include the outermost and underlying
layers of skin known as the epidermis and the dermis. Fractional laser
resurfacing thermally damages the tiny columns of skin while the
surrounding healthy skin is left intact.

"One of the main benefits of fractional laser resurfacing is that it
stimulates the production of new collagen during the body's natural healing
process," said Dr. Dover. "Not only does the treated skin look better after
a series of three to six treatments, but it also improves gradually as the
new collagen forms -- with optimal results clearly noticeable in about four
to six months. Patients really prefer this treatment over more invasive
procedures, as they can usually get results comparable to a treatment that
would have required weeks of healing time and longer-lasting side effects."

Plasma Skin Resurfacing

Another new technology that shows promise in improving photodamaged
skin in initial studies is plasma skin resurfacing. Rather than using light
or radiofrequency that are common in other laser resurfacing procedures,
plasma resurfacing uses a nitrogen gas to generate plasma energy -- which
is delivered to the targeted epidermis and dermis in either multiple,
low-energy or single, high-energy millisecond pulses. Over a period of
three to 10 days, depending on the level of energy used, the outermost
layer of skin remains intact and acts as a "biological dressing" to protect
the new epidermis and dermis forming underneath.

In a study published in the February 2007 issue of the Archives of
Dermatology, Dr. Dover and his colleagues evaluated the effectiveness of
multiple, low-energy, full-face plasma skin resurfacing treatments compared
to a single, high-energy treatment. While single, high-energy plasma
resurfacing treatments have been demonstrated to achieve successful
results, patients typically require a week or more of healing time. Dr.
Dover explained that his study was conducted to determine if comparable
results could be achieved with less downtime by using multiple treatments
at a lower energy.

"In the eight patients we studied that underwent full-face treatments
every three weeks for a total of three treatments, we found a 37 percent
reduction in wrinkles three months after treatment, with study participants
noting a 68 percent improvement in overall facial appearance," said Dr.
Dover. "We concluded that plasma skin resurfacing using the multiple
low-energy treatment technique delivers significant improvement comparable
to a single high-energy treatment, but with less healing time."

Superficial Erbium:YAG Laser Resurfacing

One of the most widely used lasers for skin resurfacing, the Erbium:YAG
laser produces energy in varying wavelengths that penetrates the skin and
is quickly absorbed by water, scattering the heat generated from the light
of the laser. While patients with moderate to more severe wrinkles and
photodamage are the best candidates for this laser treatment, the high
amount of energy needed to improve aging skin requires the removal of part
of the epidermis and the deeper tissues of the dermis. This more invasive
procedure also requires a long healing time, as redness and swelling could
last for several weeks.

Now, a modified version of this technology known as superficial
Erbium:YAG laser resurfacing uses short-pulsed wavelengths to create a
gentler treatment with fewer side effects and decreased downtime. Dr. Dover
noted that this superficial laser procedure works well for patients with
less extensive skin damage, such as mild wrinkles and slight skin
discoloration, and the resulting mild redness and swelling generally only
last for two to three days.

"The advantage of superficial Erbium:YAG laser resurfacing is that we
can easily vary the amount of energy delivered to the skin to produce the
desired effect," said Dr. Dover. "This technology has a proven track
record, and it is a great option for patients who want noticeable results
but a shorter healing time than the traditional high-powered procedure."

Choose the Right Physician

Since the success of any cosmetic procedure is highly dependent on the
skill level of the physician, the Academy advises patients to do their
homework and discuss their options and expectations with their
dermatologist before undergoing any of the latest skin resurfacing
treatments.

"Although the pigmentary problems that have occurred with CO2 laser
skin resurfacing have not been reported thus far with any of these new
laser resurfacing techniques, it is extremely important that patients find
a qualified physician who is familiar with the nuances of these therapies
and can demonstrate his or her expertise through "before and after" photos
or patient referrals," added Dr. Dover.

For more information on aging skin, go to
http://www.skincarephysicians.com, a Web site developed by dermatologists
that provides patients with up-to-date information on the treatment and
management of disorders of the skin, hair and nails.

Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology
(Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most
representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more
than 15,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing
the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin,
hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education,
and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for
a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact
the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or http://www.aad.org.

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